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The book explores the danger posed by Christian fundamentalism - a doctrine that is sweeping America. Leaders of the doctrine proclaim that God wants - even demands - that Planet Earth be destroyed in our generation. Adherents to this doctrine are sa

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63 of 68 people found the following review helpful

Christianity Hijacked3 Oct. 2003

By
Joanneva12a
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Paperback

Let me start off by saying that I spent many hours researching the information in this book before I wrote this review. The material was so disturbing, that I wanted to be absolutely sure the author was leading me down a sincere path before I make an informed critique.

I had not read any of Grace Halsell's prior 14 books such as "Soul Sister", "In Their Shoes", or "Prophecy and Politics". Nor did I know she served in the White House for 3 years under President Johnson as speechwriter, as well as journalist in the U.S., South America, Europe, Middle East and more and is listed in Who's Who in America."Forcing God's Hand" focuses on the fastest growing segment of 'alternate' Christianity occurring in the USA today... fundamental Dispensationalist Christianity, whose numbers now stand near 50 million.Believing in the relatively new 'Rapture' theory born in the 1800's, and perpetuated by the teachings of Cyrus Scofield throughout the United States, the followers of this doctrine look forward to, but most importantly, are trying to hasten the coming of the 'end times' so that they will be spared the age of Tribulation and ascend to Heaven.I should point out that the author clearly states that not all fundamentalists or dispensationalists subscribe to this theological ideology, but being raised a fundamentalist herself, and, after travelling on two Jerry Falwell sponsored tours to Israel, along with countless conversations with various pastors, she became aware of the distinct chasm between her churches theological teachings and that of today's 'mega' churches led by evangelical preachers such as the former leader of the Christian Coalition Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, as well as Hal Lindsay who broadcasts daily on TBN to million of listeners and who openly demonizes Islam. "Forcing God's Hand" is not an impartial critique. Ms Halsell definitely had an agenda in mind here. To reveal to you how these evangelist leaders have severely 'politicized' their churches, turning their faithful worshipers into a sort of mobilized 'army' who are ready to confront domestic issues and most importantly, foreign policy concerning Israel, to insure that their version of the biblical prophecy of 'Armageddon' is fulfilled.There are also thousands of smaller independent Dispensationalist churches, some with even more extreme views such as Concerned Christians who in 1999 were arrested in Israel for conspiring to commit violent acts in Jerusalem in order to hasten the return of Jesus Christ. This is just a small example of the many churches who have made a cult out of Christianity and Israel.Despite the non-violent teachings of Jesus, and the promise of salvation for all, in this form of hijacked Christianity, there is no room in God's Kingdom for followers of Lutheran, Jewish, Islam, and Buddhist faiths, nor for any other 'non-believers' unless they convert to Christianity.Also disturbing is that there are people in our government right now, that subscribe to this doctrine and actively praise the efforts of large lobbying groups such as the Christian Coalition and ZOA who strongly voice their opposition to a peaceful two state solution in the Middle East, and urge the moving the US Embassy to a united Jerusalem, an act which would most likely outrage about a billion Muslims worldwide.The author's writing style is neither scholarly nor academic, but has a simplistic quality to it that even beginners will be able to understand. Considering that Grace Halsell died shortly after this publication, one has to wonder if she really had time to fully critique or opted to just cut to the chase. She however drops lots of names, and countless quotes that are easily verified. I myself found many audio clips and articles supporting her writing.In today's circle of discussions regarding the rise of fundamentalism in other religions, one can see that Christianity is not immune. If you are concerned about a racist type of Christianity that's on the rise today, one that does not believe in separation of church and state and is actively trying to convert this nation from a Democracy to a 'Theocracy' then you should read this book.

43 of 48 people found the following review helpful

A Truly Fascinating Book18 Dec. 2003

By
Khyrul Rahaman
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Paperback

This is a book that confronts Christian extremism head-on. You will be amazed by what Ms. Grace Halsell has been able to uncover. She talks candidly about what may probably be called The New Cult in America which is gaining momentum so fast, i.e., the cult headed by Evangelists like Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, and Hal Lindsay who would stop at nothing to fulfil their un-Christ like agendas. The cult has been able to penetrate even the most powerful office in the world (The White House), and its current occupant, George W. Bush. They have literally hijacked Christianity, and turned it into the most intolerant, conniving, and violent faith. They are prepared to expedite the second coming of Jesus Christ by forcing the preceding events by any means necessary, even if it means destroying the planet Earth. They have changed, manipulated, and misinterpreted verses in the Bible to suite their evil goals. Another issue that Ms. Halsell talks frankly about is the "13th Tribe" in which she quotes Arthur Koestler, the author of the book, "The Thirteenth Tribe" in which he gives historical facts on how the current Jews in Israel are really non-Semitic because they are in reality originally East Europeans/Russians who CONVERTED to Judaism. "Forcing God's Hand" is really a must read for anybody who is concerned with the integrity of Christianity, the preservation of the true teachings of Jesus, and the deadly alliance being forged between the American Christian Right and the Zionists. A truly fascinating book that you would not want to put down, and will give you a wide scope of what really goes behind the scenes. It's a book that will surely make you stop and think, and start asking tough questions.

36 of 42 people found the following review helpful

eye-popping revelations of Israel and Zionist Christians!12 Nov. 2003

By
"truthandjustice"
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Paperback

What an amazing book! It opens a whole new look at why the country is in such a turmoil. Grace Halsell, who used to work at the White House during Johnson's years as president has presented us with a horrifying and believable theory that certain evangelical Zionist Christians and certain Israel citizens have been conspiring to hurry up the approaching Armegeddon so that they can receive what they call Rapture without going through the tribulations. She says this is why we have given Israel so much money and support over the years. In order for this to happen, they have to destroy Islams Holy shrines and build a third temple on the mount and use animals as sacrificialments like they did in early bible times. Millions and billions will die. Of course, since they are disobeying Gods Ten Commandments, they will not receive this rapture they are looking forward to, because God will choose when and how Armegeddon will happen. Will there be misery and death and loss if they continue on this course? Yes, many will suffer including them.Much of where the evangelists place their belief is from the Scofield Bible, written by a man of dubious character. He fled from Kansas (abandoning his wife and children) amid accusations of embezzling political contributions made to Senator John Ingalls, a former partner. When he was in jail for forgery he had a religious conversion and was under the influence of James Brookes, the Darbyite Dispensationalist. He ended up writing a Bible that went along with the regular Bible using his own interpretations of what he thought the bible meant and this is what many of our evangelists use now.Some of the people she lists that believe in this theory is Jerry Falwell (big time), Pat Robertson, Hal Lindsay, Tim Lehay, Ronald Reagan, Bush, Dan Quayle and wife, Tom Delay, TRent Lott, and many more. Read the book to understand what is at stake-our world as we know it.

30 of 36 people found the following review helpful

Illuminating Guide to Fundamentalism8 Nov. 2001

By
A Customer
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Paperback

This timely manual should be required reading for those who are concerned about the rapidly exploding Christian fundamentalism movement and its growing political power. Interviews and accounts by followers of Jerry Falwell and other fundamentalist leaders, are illuminating and frightening, as the reader comes to understand that Christian fundamentalists, like Islamic fundamentalists, are praying for the immediate destruction of the earth in order to gain eternal life for themselves and damnation for the unsaved. Even more frightening is most of the fundamentalists are educated, middle or upper middle class Americans, who earnestly pray for the Rapture to come in their lifetime because of their perceived belief of the immorality in the modern world. Currently, several of the "Left Behind" books, written by Tim LeHaye, an icon in the Christian fundamentalist movement are on bestsellers' lists. In order to gain insight into what is being promoted by this cult, read this book.

43 of 53 people found the following review helpful

Dangerous Delusion10 May 2000

By
Dr. Joe Barnhart
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Paperback

Forcing God's Hand: Why Millions Pray for a Quick Rapture and the Destruction of the Planet Earth throws considerable light on apocalyptic motifs in culture, psychology, and politics. It forces the question, What kind of species are we that we can lock ourselves into a gospel of violence such as found in the Schofield Reference Bible? Halsell has perhaps opened a door for better understanding why the horror fiction of Hal Lindsay and Stephen King excite so many of our friends. What is really scary, however, is the number of people who want to insert the premillennial script into real national and international politics. One other point: Halsell makes it clear that when it comes to the will-to-power-and-to-dominate, the apocalyptic preachers' "Christ" makes Stalin look like a puff of wind. Joe Barnhart, Professor of Philosophy and Religion Studies, University of North Texas